Our Retrospect. 



musty receptacle, awaiting the distant chance of being brought to 

 light only in some far-off century when men might become wiser 

 and better disposed to examine into the value of past researches. How 

 much more difficult, then, would scientific investigation have proved 

 itself in the olden centuries, when the most ardent student must have 

 felt that he was looked upon not only slightingly as a mere useless 

 theorizer, but even with contempt, as one who was cravenly avoiding 

 the more honorable profession of arms,— perhaps with something of 

 that sneering pity with which strong natures of that period must have 

 regarded the quiet labor of copyist monks ! 



And still again, let us suppose that in course of time these obsta- 

 cles might become decreased or altogether swept aside, the difficulty 

 would not be entirely out of the way. Currents of human thought 

 move slowly and cannot easily be turned from their accustomed 

 channel, and it must take men a long time to realize that they can at 

 last freely discuss some subjects hitherto forbidden. And having 

 finally learned this, it must take even longer to comprehend that 

 certain disputations which were once so criminal as to demand the 

 rack and faggot for punishment cau be indulged in without impro- 

 priety, even though with the full knowledge and consent of the law. 

 We see this in the fact that even now among many men and 

 sects the discussion of scientific truths which may be supposed to 

 conflict with Scripture is frowned upon ; and we know that in portions 

 of Europe from which the veil of ignorance has been yet only slightly 

 lifted, medical treatment of the insane is discountenanced as opposed 

 to an orthodox belief in demoniacal possession, and in times of pes- 

 tilence precautionary measures of drainage and cleanliness are neg- 

 lected as of little value in comparison with the exhibition of relics 

 or with pilgrimages to holy shrines. And beyond all this, genera- 

 tions must pass away before the scholar with a scientific or philosoph- 

 ical bent of mind can feel assured that the public countenance has 

 at last been turned approvingly upon him, so that he can labor with 

 some hope of sympathy, or at least without being looked upon ascant 

 and doubtingly, as one who is spending his life in a sort of useless 

 craze and might better be engaged in some more reputable and 

 manly occupation. And until this change of sentiment comes about, 

 there can be few accessions to the ranks of investigating men, and 

 °nly in large centers of population can many of them meet together 

 for discussion ; and hence there can be little profitable consultation 

 among them, and centuries may pass away during which in their 

 isolation they must pray in vain for the dawn of that more enlight- 

 ened day in which their labors will at last be held in proper considera- 



